Chapter 9
Chapter 9 The rope bit cruelly into her neck , leaving an angry red mark .
The emerald pendant that had once hung there was now ripped away , clenched tightly in Odalyss hand .
Odalys ! Are you fucking insane ! How dare you steal from me ? Hannahs voice was shrill , her perfectly made up face contorted with rage .
The fury etched every wrinkle onto her forehead like an accusation Odalys cast a cold glance at the pendant resting in her palm before shoving it into her bag without a second thought .
Steal from you ? Dont make me laugh .
This pendant was my mentors gift to me a protective charm .
I gave it to you out of kindness , but that doesnt mean it ever belonged to you .
My mistake was thinking you were worth it .
Her lips curled into a sharp , bitter smirk .
You dont deserve it now .
This pendant wasnt just jewelry it was blessed , carrying the energy of protection .
Her mentor had kept it close for over twenty years to ward off ham .
When Odalys returned to the Rennett family and saw the dark shadow hanging over Hannahs face , she had handed it over without hesitation .
That pendant had saved Hannahs Life .
And how had Hannah repaid her ? By forcing her into a proxy marriage and scheming against her at every turn .
Enough was enough .
Odalys wasnt going to let them walk all over her anymore .
You ungrateful brat Hannah shrieked , her chest heaving .
Tm your mother ! How dare you talk to me like that ? Do you want to be part of this family or not ? Her glare was sharp and venomous , filled with the kind of hatred , that felt colder than ice .
Odalys realized then that the chasm between them wasnt something words could bridge .
This wasnt just family drama it was war .
Do you think I caret Odalys shot back , her voice like steel .
You abandoned me , threw me into a marriage I didnt want and now you think Id crawl back to you ? You think youre worth it ? Her smirk deepened , a bitter edge to her expression .
For the first time , she truly accepted it this family didnt love her , never had .
The pain she thought shed feel wasnt there anymore .
Only clarity .
Odalys , youve gone too far ! Atlas stormed into the room , stepping between her and Hannah like some kind of hero .
His expression was full of anger , his voice dripping with disdain .
Odalys : Sophia chimed in, her voice trembling , her eyes watery as if she were on the verge of tears .
You already took the bride price this mornings wasnt that enough ? Now youre here to take Moms pendant ? Why are you doing this to her ? Shes always been so good to you .
But Odalys caught the flicker in Sophias eyes a flash of malice and satisfaction buried beneath the crocodile tears .
It was quick , almost imperceptible , but shed seen it .
Once upon a time , she might have fallen for it .
Now ? Not a chance .
Sophias line performance only fanned the flames .
I shouldve strangled you at birth , you ungrateful br Hannah apat , her voice cracking with fury , Odalys stared at her mother , a calm , icy smile tugging at her lips .
Strangled me ! For what ? Lets not rewrite history here I was missing for 17 years .
and none of you even bothered to look for me .
Ive been back for seven months , and not once have you treated me like family .
Seven months of running errands for your precious son , working at your company for free , cleaning up after everyone in this house while your maids sat on their asses and I didnt get a single word of thanks .
When I first came back and you were so sick you couldnt even remember your own name , who stayed up all night by your side , taking care of you ! Youre quick to throw around accusations , but where were you when I needed a mother ! Her voice was calm , but each word hit like a knife .
The room fell silent .
Even Caspian , who had just walked in , froze at the top of the stairs , his expression unreadable .
Youre right about one thing , though Odalys let out a cold , humorless laugh .
I must be ungrateful .
Otherwise , why would I have given my mentors protective pendant to someone like you ? Turns out , you dont fucking deserve it She wasnt angry anymore .
If anything , the whole thing felt absurd .
Their so called fmily ties ? Severed long ago .
This wasnt a confrontation in was a formality , a moment shed forget about as soon as she walked out the door .
The only reason shed even come back for the pendant was because of Hannahs relentless calls , each one more vicious than the last .
That pendant had saved Hannahs life once , shielding her during her darkest days .
1/3 Chapter 9 Without it , she might not have survived to stand here , screaming accusations and playing the victim Odalys Stonet Are you out of your mind ? Im your mother ! How dare you talk to me like that ? Do you even want to come back to the Bennett family ? Hannahs voice was shrill , her chest rising and falling with fury .
For a moment , it seemed like she might keel over Odalys watched the tremor in her body , the haze in her eyes , and for some mexplicable reason , she felt a flicker of satisfaction .
Life has a twisted sense of humor , doesnt it ? You could fight fate all you want , but in the end , you will only exhaust yourself , she thought Dont bother showing me the door .
From now on , I wouldnt come back to the Bennett house even if you rolled out a red carpet , she said , her tone breezy , almost mocking , as she turned to leave .
But her steps were cut short by a towering figure blocking her path her brother , Henry .
His anger was palpable , radiating off him like a thunderstorm .
He stood there , his broad shoulders casting a long shadow , his eyes fixed on her with a cold , unwavering fury Move , she said , her voice like ice .
She sidestepped , but his hand shot out , grabbing her arm with a grip so tight it felt like he might snap her bones .
Apologize , he demanded , his voice low and commanding .
Apologize to Mom .
Right now .
Odalys turned her head slowly , fixing him with a stare that oozed contempt , like she couldnt believe what she was hearing .
Are you fucking senous ? Odalys .
Henry growled , his voice darker now , heavy with warning .
Dont push me .
Im only saying this once more apologize to Mom and return the Stewart familys wedding gifs .
Or else Before he could finish , her palm connected with his face in a sharp , echoing slap .
His head snapped to the side , and the room went deathly silent .
Henry staggered slightly , his gold rimmed glasses flying off and landing with a clatter on the floor .
A bright red handprint bloomed across his check The other Bennetts stared at her , their eyes wide with shock .
The Odalys they knew wouldve never dared raise her voice , let alone her hand .
But the woman standing before them now ? She looked untouchable , fierce Youre unbelievable , Henry : Odalys sneered , her voice sharp enough h to cut .
Thick skinned , entitled , and delusional .
No wonder youre next in line to run this circus .
Who the hell do you think you are to stand there and bark orders at me ? And dont even get me started on your little fantasy about the Stewart familys gifts Her gaze locked onto his cold and unrelenting .
Listen carefully .
My name is Odalys Stone .
Im not a Bennett , and I sure as hell dont belong to this family anymore .
So dont you dare think you can tell me what to do She stepped back and stomped her heel onto the fallen glasses , the satisfying crunch of shattering glass punctuating her words .
Without missing a beat , she turned toward the door .
And stop fucking calling me , she threw over her shoulder before striding out .
Just as she reached the foyer , Caspian descended the stairs .
He took one look at her defiant posture , her head held high , and something in him snapped .
His face darkened , and he stormed toward her , his fist clenched and ready to swing .
Before he could get close , a loud voice boomed from the doorway .
Mrs.
Stewart , Mr.
Stewart is waiting for you at home .
Hes asked you to retum for dinner .
The word Mrs.
Stewart cut through the chaos like a knife .
Caspians raised tht wavered mid air before he swung it wildly at the nearest object , a decorative vase .
The vase shattered on impact , shards scattering across the floor .
Odalys smirked , her eyes flicking toward the chauffeur standing in the doorway .
His interruption couldnt have been more perfectly timed .
Clearly , hed had enough of the drama and decided to step in .
She was grateful if only because Caspian had just dodged a world of pain .
Lets go , she said curly , brushing past the stunned onlookers as if they didnt exist .
The chauffeur followed , guiding her into the sleek black car waiting outside .
As they sped away , Odilys glanced at the rearview mirror and caught sight of Caspian , who looked ready to storm after her .
Henry , however , grabbed his arm and held him back .
Maam , the chauffeur ventured cautiously , glancing at her through the mirror .
Are you alright ? Odalys leaned back , closing her eyes with a long sigh .
Im fine .
Theyre nothing but background noise .
Hack at the Bennett estate , Caspian wrenched his arm free from Henrys grip , his face flushed with rage .
Why the hell did you stop me ? That hatch deserves to be put in her place Chapter 9 Henry shot him a sharp look , his voice low and clipped .
That wasnt just anyone , Caspian .
That was the Stewart familys driver .
If youd hit her , youd have dragged is all down with you .
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